Right Defensive End
Jeremy Mincey was brought in without much fanfare during the 2014 free agency period. He spent most of his career in Jacksonville and last season with the Denver Broncos and amassed 18 sacks in that time, so Mincey was lightly penciled in as the starter when OTA’s began. However, Jeremy has been rehabbing an injury and hasn’t seen the field much, which left the door open for second round draft choice DeMarcus Lawrence.
During OTA’s, Bryan Broaddus reported that Lawrence struggled his first day, and that’s expected considering that he’s going against left tackle Tyron Smith. But since then, Broaddus has reported that Lawrence has more than held his own against Smith while showing plenty of strength, quickness off the snap, and a few pass-rush moves that left defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli giddy as a school girl.
Marinelli has also had some really good things to say about Lawrence, saying “I think we got the right one” referring to Lawrence after the first day of mini-camp, and later on saying Lawrence has “the good stuff” regarding his pass-rush ability. That’s high praise coming from a coach who isn’t known to give out many compliments. All that says that there is a good chance Lawrence could be named the starter, but I’m not ready to crown him just yet. Let’s see what happens when the pads come on and things start getting nasty. But you have to like what you’re hearing so far.
Names to watch: Martez Wilson, Caesar Rayford
When Wilson was brought in late last season, his first workout left the coaches in awe because of his quickness off the snap. With Wilson able to settle down at one position and get away from that mess in Oakland, he should be able to showcase some of that quickness and become a very valuable member of this defensive unit.
Rayford came over from Indianapolis after a really good 2013 preseason in which he showcased his skills as an OLB in the Colts 3-4 defense. However, the change in scheme and position change appeared a bit overwhelming for Rayford, and he never seemed to find any kind of grove.
Rayford’s impressive preseason came against some really good left tackles, so with his pass-rush skills and his high motor, I feel an entire offseason at DE will help him show the team if they made the right choice bringing him in.
